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What I don't understand is why everyone assumes that a conversation on these topics has to be a confrontation about whose believes are better.

Usually when I have conversations about religion, it is not my or the other persons religion we are talking about, but more often about the practices of the places we are visiting.

As an example, when we went to visit our DD when she was living in Japan, we went to visit Several Buddest Temples and Shinto Shrines, so we had discussions about the difference between the beliefs and practices of the two, and of the practices of the Japnese in gerneral.
No one trying to convert anyone and no scorn of other's believe.
Just interesting and information conversations and an appreciation of the places we were visiting as more than just cool arcitecture.

My DD was a great source of info given her studies in Religion.
(Can you tell I'm a proud Mom.)

Lois

Before our last cruise, I gave my teen brochures for each port so that she can have some say in what sights we'll see. One place she wanted to see was a jodo in Lahaina. So we planned out how to get the bus to come close and then we walked the rest of the way. This one had the biggest Buddha statute outside of Japan and a 3,000 ton bell. We also saw another one in Hilo.

Obviously some people can not discuss taboo subjects with respect to someone else's beliefs.

Then the discussion becomes a debate, with someone else trying to change the other's point of view.

I hope I never have to dine with those people...I am going to sit with EuroCruiser and have a grand time.

I love lively and insightful conversation..about everything and anything..including the taboo subjects. It just has to be with mutual respect ....I would never try to change someone and make them believe as I do.

Denise

I wouldn't mind sitting with you. I love lively and insightful conversation. Just not with narrow-minded people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dread_pirate

But that requires no discussion - it is a Revealed Truth! After all, they're not the Evil Empire for nothing! All the rest is false doctrine.

Wait, wait, I think the Flying Spaghetti Monster will be endorsing the Dodgers this year because of their new owners.

BTW, it occurred to me that the man handing out the books wasn't even on the sidewalk. I asked my daughter and she says she remembers he was on the lawn, which does mean he was officially on the school grounds. I'm posting a question about this on my board of education rep's Facebook page to see what she says (if I should go to the main office if I see him again).

It's not a matter of "moving on." I guess that other poster who has trouble with other religions would have a problem with MDR conversations centering around religion if it's not that poster's religion. What's your problem?

They are going to pull this thread because it's supposed to be about conversation at the dinner table on a cruise (or so I thought), not about whether someone can stand on a sidewalk and hand out literature or not.

That's what my problem is. Next time someone on the sidewalk hands you a Bible or piece of literature that mentions God maybe you should read it and see what it says about having an open mind and attitude and not being so judgmental.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruisin' Chick

It's not a matter of "moving on." I guess that other poster who has trouble with other religions would have a problem with MDR conversations centering around religion if it's not that poster's religion. What's your problem?

They are going to pull this thread because it's supposed to be about conversation at the dinner table on a cruise (or so I thought), not about whether someone can stand on a sidewalk and hand out literature or not.

That's what my problem is. Next time someone on the sidewalk hands you a Bible or piece of literature that mentions God maybe you should read it and see what it says about having an open mind and attitude and not being so judgmental.

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I would read the Quran if someone handed me one. ( I have read parts of it already ) . I would discuss it at a dinner table on a cruise.

That's what my problem is. Next time someone on the sidewalk hands you a Bible or piece of literature that mentions God maybe you should read it and see what it says about having an open mind and attitude and not being so judgmental.

Admittedly, I am a very judgmental person.

People that make attempts to convert my child to their specific religous cult I judge to be offensive, out of bounds, and abusive.

Should you believe in god, allah, buddah, or the one Holy True Saviour, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, fine with me. BUT .... Leave my kid alone.

Next time someone on the sidewalk hands you a Bible or piece of literature that mentions God maybe you should read it and see what it says about having an open mind and attitude and not being so judgmental.

Funny stuff!!! It is my experience that the more religious a person is, the less open minded, the more intolerant, and the more judgmental they are, especially towards people with different religious beliefs or sexual orientations. I see more hate towards other people disguised as religious beliefs than from anything else. That is why I have no desire to discuss religious topics with strangers over dinner in the MDR while I am trying to enjoy my vacation. I don't want to have to endure hearing about your prejudiced beliefs.

But getting back to what are good topics to avoid at the dining table on a cruise........ Talk about the food. Then you'll have someone who prefer meat eating to vegetarian.
Talk about the weather and you'll have someone who complains about how hot it is.
Talk about the ship, and someone will think it too big, too small, too glitzy, too sedate.....

Like all things in life, you will please some of the people, some of the time.
You'll never please everyone all the time.

But getting back to what are good topics to avoid at the dining table on a cruise........ Talk about the food. Then you'll have someone who prefer meat eating to vegetarian.Talk about the weather and you'll have someone who complains about how hot it is.Talk about the ship, and someone will think it too big, too small, too glitzy, too sedate.....

Like all things in life, you will please some of the people, some of the time.You'll never please everyone all the time.

Priceless, and sadly very true. Wherever people gather, it's almost inevitable that some kind of conflict will get in the way of, well, just about everything. One only has to read a few threads on CC to bear this out...our own positions are so important to be emphasized. We must be right! We must dominate! We must convince others 'our way is the right way!" I'm guilty of this too, which is why I tend to prefer the company of animals

It is so enjoyable, motivating and pleasant when we can dine with others, work with others, or volunteer with others, etc, etc and be able to walk away and say, 'wow, that was really great'. YMMV.

It is my experience that the more religious a person is, the less open minded, the more intolerant, and the more judgmental they are, especially towards people with different religious beliefs or sexual orientations. I see more hate towards other people disguised as religious beliefs than from anything else. That is why I have no desire to discuss religious topics with strangers over dinner in the MDR while I am trying to enjoy my vacation. I don't want to have to endure hearing about your prejudiced beliefs.

But getting back to what are good topics to avoid at the dining table on a cruise........ Talk about the food. Then you'll have someone who prefer meat eating to vegetarian.
Talk about the weather and you'll have someone who complains about how hot it is.
Talk about the ship, and someone will think it too big, too small, too glitzy, too sedate.....

Like all things in life, you will please some of the people, some of the time.
You'll never please everyone all the time.
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True. I was going to say that you should always please yourself..but that sounds bad!!

It isn't really the topic which causes argument or disagreement, it's the attitude of the individual discussing that topic. On these boards people get fired up over tipping, smuggling liquor, approaches to chair hogs, even discussing "unsafe" topics of conversation. No topic is safe if a blockhead is going to insist that his view is the only proper one; and, conversely, any topic can be a learning experience if participants in the conversation are willing to listen and learn and to express their views with courtesy.

People that make attempts to convert my child to their specific religous cult I judge to be offensive, out of bounds, and abusive.

Should you believe in god, allah, buddah, or the one Holy True Saviour, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, fine with me. BUT .... Leave my kid alone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyDenise

That's what my problem is. Next time someone on the sidewalk hands you a Bible or piece of literature that mentions God maybe you should read it and see what it says about having an open mind and attitude and not being so judgmental.

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I would read the Quran if someone handed me one. ( I have read parts of it already ) . I would discuss it at a dinner table on a cruise.

I love a good discussion. It can even be about politics or religion as long as someone isn't insisting theirs is the only right position. I would have a problem if someone is insisting on talking about being into certain "group activities" but that hasn't happened on any of my cruises. Hubby and I do like sharing a table with others on our cruises (when we were "stuck" with anytime dining on our last one, we always asked to share a table). You'll find that I wouldn't insist that my religion is the only one to be (to me, spirituality is very personal -- which is why I prefer my child to be left alone about the subject as she needs to find her own way on that topic).

To me, one of the advantages of a cruising vacation (and why we love traditional dining) is meeting others from all over the US and world. There are plenty of good topics to discuss so if something is mentioned and it seems like a sore spot for someone, just drop it. If someone has changed the subject abruptly, take that as a sign.

To me, one of the advantages of a cruising vacation (and why we love traditional dining) is meeting others from all over the US and world. There are plenty of good topics to discuss so if something is mentioned and it seems like a sore spot for someone, just drop it. If someone has changed the subject abruptly, take that as a sign.

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Yup! I agree!

The only people that I would not be thrilled to sit with are those missing the sense of humor gene..but I can handle that...I just would not be thrilled.

And the only time I would lost my cool...and I mean lose it..would be if someone was rude, mean, or hateful to a crew member.